From the NSRA Email List as provided by WX1N-Dick, Mel Cole-WZ1Q, best known for his support of an attempted rescue for a ship at sea the ‘Can Do’ during the Blizzard of 78 passed away. The obituary is listed below:
| Melrose R. Cole | ||
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WENHAM — Melrose “Mel” R. Cole, 84, died Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, with his loving family by his side. Mel shared 62 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Elizabeth “Betty” (Rohr) Cole. Mel was the son of the late Wilbur M. and Mabel (Ramsay) Cole. Mel grew up in Michigan and graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in electrical engineering. He was a World War II veteran who served in the United States Air Force as a weatherman in China, Burma and India. Mel was the founder and owner of Products for Research in Danvers until his retirement in 1985. The company was involved with many domestic and global corporations, including NASA Space Center. He was also a member of Rotary International in Beverly for 30 years, on the Board of Directors at Beverly Cooperative Bank for 30 years and the president of the Turtle Creek Elderly Housing for many years. Mel was an avid Ham Radio Operator, whose call letters were WZIQ. One of his most dramatic moments as a radio operator, was assisting the U.S. Coast Guard with the attempted rescue of the ship “Can Do” during the Blizzard of 1978. Mel loved to sail and was a member of the Manchester Yacht Club and the Corinthian Yacht Club of Marblehead. Mel also taught the Power Squadron Boating/Weather course in the North Shore area. He was also an active member at the First Parish Congregational Church of Manchester -by-the-Sea. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, James Cole and his wife Rose of Amesbury, and Robert Cole and his wife Marilyn of Kensington, N.H.; three grandchildren, Erik Cole and his wife Jaime of Salisbury, Brandon Cole of Danvers, and Adam Cole of Beverly; two great-grandchildren, Tyler and Jacob Cole of Salisbury; and two step-granddaughters, Danielle Priestly of Litchfield, N.H. and Michelle Gray of Amesbury. ARRANGEMENTS: A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 11 a.m., at the First Parish Congregational Church, Manchester-by-the-Sea. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Burial will be held privately for the family. There will be no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mel’s name to Hospice of the North Shore, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B102, Danvers, MA 01023, or First Parish Building Maintenance Fund, Chapel Lane, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 01944. Arrangements by the Campbell-Lee, Moody, Russell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot St., Beverly. Information, directions, condolences atwww.campbellfuneral.com. |
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